Batsmen to the fore in alliance of massive premier stroke-play

Their combined efforts produced a record 2,662 runs in the six games for the loss of a mere 69 wickets at an average of 38.58 runs per wicket.

Only Pickering, who batted out for a draw at Heworth, missed out on the run-feast.

Once again Clifton Alliance were the top scorers as they raced to 295-5 against Woodhouse Grange.

Aussie Daniel Harris again impressed as he cracked 95 off just 76 balls as he and Dave Taylor 73 put on 141 for the first wicket. John Hunter followed with an unbeaten 48 before John Gilham iced the cake by hitting an unbeaten 38 off 23 deliveries.

Woodhouse Grange's batsmen picked up the gauntlet with Jonathon Bean making 36 and Nick Hadfield 70.

However, it was ex-Clifton man Simon Dwyer who stole the limelight as he made his maiden premier division century. He reached an unbeaten 120 off 117 balls in a dazzling innings which saw him hit 15 fours and three sixes as Woodhouse reached 269-4.

Acomb skipper Andy Tute produced a brilliant all-round performance to help his side to an eight-wicket win over reigning champions Easingwold.

Home skipper Martin Piercy made 113 as he shared a fourth-wicket stand of 117 with Dan Copeland, who made 70. Dave Sykes bowled a marathon 25 overs to take 5-103, while Andy Tute's 23-over spell earned him 4-109 as Easingwold posted a total of 240 all out.

Tute then played a magnificent innings as he and Scott Nicholls put on 168 for the first wicket with the latter falling for 69. Tute continued to dominate and reached a brilliant 131 not out as Acomb romped home.

Sessay came close to pulling off a shock win over title favourites Dunnington but eventually lost by four wickets with just four balls remaining.

Matt Till made 66, Chris Till 47 and Dave Johnson an unbeaten 49 in Sessay's 210-5.

In reply, Dunnington slipped to 108-5 before a sixth-wicket stand of 70 between Harwood Williams (57) and Paul Miles (54no) turned the tables. Early runs in the Dunnington innings came from Hamid Khan with 27 and Collis King (34), while Aussie Johnson supplemented his unbeaten knock with 3-73.

Sheriff Hutton Bridge have sunk to the foot of the division following a six-wicket defeat at Beverley Town who successfully chased a target of 211 despite missing the services of leading batsmen Jamie Mitchell and Ollie Grantham.

Peter Crowder was again in good form for the Bridge as he struck 70, while Ian Clish (31) and Steve Crowder, who made 38 before being run out at the non-striker's end by a deflection, helped their side to 211-5.

Lacking the services of opening bowler Mike Smith, the Bridge attack made little impression as Ross Davey made 30 and Ian Gillian 42. Four wickets then fell but Andy Burton (54no) and Peter Parnaby (27no) ensured Beverley's continuation in the upper reaches.

In the premier run-fest, Pickering were the division's weakest link.

They could only make 148-8 in a passive draw at Heworth.

Heworth made 215-8 with Colin de Grandhomme hitting 43, Richard Bowling (39) and Ian Wilson adding 79 as he made his best score in Heworth's colours since moving from Osbaldwick.

Adie Boyes took 3-46 for the Pikes who then struggled as youngsters Dan Walton, with 3-11, and Chris Pitts (3-27) made serious inroads into the batting line-up. The visitors were indebted to the experienced Colin Frank who stood firm to reach an unbeaten 79 and stave off defeat.

Both sides took maximum batting points in a closely-fought draw at Malton, where the home side had a minimal edge on Osbaldwick.

The home total of 205-6 hinged on a third-wicket stand of 99 between Darren Wyrill, who made 98, and Victorian Brett Warren, who made 42.

Fellow Aussie Paul Finnie responded with 40, while Rob Bispham made 53 as Osbaldwick mounted a good chase.

Teenage bowler Mike Lonsley took 3-26 in his permitted six overs and this meant that Osbaldwick needed 14 off the final over but fell short at 200-6.

Updated: 11:31 Monday, May 16, 2005